Back in NYC

So a few weeks ago SR tells me that Morcheeba is going to be performing at Webster Hall. Honestly, I have no idea who this character is but for 30 bucks I was hoping it would be a good show. So far the opening act Federico Aubele has made me appreciate the classic guitar style a bit more especially when compared to his backup singer's tinny synthesizer. Currently waiting for the main headline... Let's see how it goes.

Party like a Rock Star in Atlanta, Georgia

So after driving through Alabama and reaching Georgia I decided I wanted to go to a club. The only problem was would I appear to seem like some weird stalker if I walked into a club by myself. I made a call to a friend in NY and asked to look up any clubs in Atlanta that look worthwhile as I was fast approaching the city. The recommendation was Club Verve (511 Peachtree St NE) and it happened to be reggae night. Perhaps it was my FL@TBUSH T-Shirt or my winning smile but in no time I was having a good time. The unusual thing about this particular club is that everyone appeared to be from New York. Go figure, I drove over 2,000 miles and all I meet is more neighbors. Anyhow, I can't complain, I had a good time and the homeless people outside didn't break into my car.

Now in Alabama

So I make a quick stop to pop two aspirins. Not because the beautiful state of Alabama has given me a headache but as a precautionary measure since I've been sitting on my butt for so many hours. Next state will be Georgia and with that another time zone change. So far all this driving has given me a better appreciation for country and southern gospel music (would you belive I forgot to bring CD's or an MP3 player to accompany me on this trip). I'm going to make a stop in Atlanta to see if I can find a late night lounge otherwise its going to be another night at a cheap motel.

Just got into Mississippi

Next state is Alabama

Graceland

So after purchasing my ticket for the Graceland tour I realized that Lisa Marie Presley will never go broke. Although on a less cynical note it was apparent that Elvis was such a legend in his time and still continues to have a major influence today. At his grave site pictured below you will find his more serious fans becoming emotional. One thing that I have to admit is that the king has a seriously nice crib.

Just made it to Tennessee

Next stop is Graceland!

Inside a replica of the Oval Office

So it was a treat to see a replica of the White House Oval office. The office is decorated in such a way to represent how it would have appeared under President William "Bill" Clinton's presidency. Overall the library is extremely informative and includes an exhibit called, "The Long Struggle: Presidential Actions and African-American Civil Rights 1860-1965" that chronicles some key milestones in the civil rights movement.

President Clinton Library

In Little Rock, Arkansas. Nice museum overlooking what I believe is the Arkansas River.

Finally reached Arkansas

160 miles to go before I get to Little Rock. While stopped at this sign I ran into a group that was also snapping a picture. They originated their trip in Pennsylvania and went down to California and now they are headed back to PA. I'm glad I'm not the only one snapping pictures of the "Welcome To" signs. Maybe we are part of a secret society.

Damn!

I mean, nice dam. Weber Falls, Oklahoma.

Nifty cop car

So I was thinking about a recent news story about a woman who was sitting on her toilet for two years. Although its been 3 days worth of driving I feel like I have become stuck to the driver's chair. Anyway, I thought the Oklahama State Patrol have cool looking squad cars. Ok only 236 more miles to go before I get to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Currently in Tullahassee, Oklahoma

Coordinates:
N 35 degrees 51.159'
W 95 degrees 25.295'

Prayer on wheels

Only in America

Near Braman, Oklahoma

Coordinates:
N 36 degrees 56.395'
W 97 degrees 20.691'

So many rules

So Toc's Coffeehouse in Witchita, Kansas doesn't allow guns but you can feel free to smoke all you want. I guess the fact that they had to post the sign indicates that they might have had a problem with angry gun toting customers. Anyhow, at Toc's you can get a side of fried apples with mixed bacon and all the grits you want. Yummy!! (Although I wasn't very fond of their cornmeal sticks).

First time getting pulled over

Go figure... Its not even for speeding

Apparently the tag on my rental doesn't register and although I rented the car in Orlando, Florida it happens to have Maryland plates. The camera I have on my dashboard is suspicious and my NY drivers license isn't making things any easier for the cop. Embarrassingly, I had left my sunglasses on the outside windshield which happens to be covered with about 100 dead bugs. I get lucky, the cop doesn't throw me in the slammer and he wishes me good luck and let's me continue my trip. (I don't put the sunglasses back on).

Coordinates:
N 38 degrees 52.357'
W 98 degrees 03.418'

Taking another break in Kansas

So I take a quick break at a rest area near Westfall, Kansas. I notice to the north is a wind turbine farm and its the second time I've noticed on my trip where none of the turbines in a farm are spinning. Makes me a bit nervous about the reliability of energy created by wind power.

Additionally, I was listening to a local talk show on 94.7 FM (KSKU) and the local buzz was Obama's recent speech in Philadelpha, the gun control case before the Supreme Court and New York's new governor Patterson and his admittance to previous affairs.

Coordinates:
N 38 degrees 51.330'
W 98 degrees 07.444'

Took a nap but have a while to go

747 miles to Little Rock, Arkansas

Currently in rest area near Levant, Kansas.

I just realized that I have driven more than those guys who lost their wallet in El Segundo. (Only a select few of us will understand what I mean by that).

Back on the road again....

Sun setting over Colorado

So after driving through Denver, Colorado I realize that its immediate outskirts remind me of New Jersey's industrial area but not for long. Soon afterwards there are large plots of vacant land for sale. The below picture is the sun setting behind me as I drive east towards Kansas on the I 70.

So at this point I have a goal and that is to try to reach a new time zone every day. I'm currently headed towards Kansas and with that Central Time Zone (I'm currently in Mountan Time Zone).

Current Coordinates:
N 39 degrees 44.192'
W 107 degrees 31.620'

Tanks ready for delivery

This isn't something you see every day but there was a train transporting military tanks.

Coordinates:

CLASSIFIED

A prarie on the plain

I noticed one of these prarie dogs at a rest area near Bitter Creek, Wyoming. He seemed like he wanted to come along with me but unfortunately buddy this is a solo trip.

Windmills in Wyoming

I noticed they weren't spinning despite the fact that it was pretty windy. I hope they weren't broken. Let me get outta here before I get blamed for it.

Near exit 30 (Bigelow Road) on the I 80

Coordinates:
N 41 degrees 18.384'
W 110 degrees 31.633'

A few miles away

In Echo, Utah

Caught two deer

Near Coalville, Utah. The picture isn't very clear but look towards the top right and you will notice them.

Coordinates:
N 40 degrees 56.790'
W 111 degrees 24.812'

Interesting pizzeria

A Pizzeria restaurant in Salt Lake City that obviously doesn't cater to the Mormon crowd. Its a quarter to midnight when I walked in and I can say the staff is here is very unusual.

Finally made it to Salt Lake City

Made it to hotel.... Have to plan next destination... In the meantime I am going to watch Family Guy on the lobby TV until the person who preceded me sorts out her reservation. What a drag, I am pooped, tired and hungry.

Made it to Utah

Only 114 miles to Salt Lake City

Interesting plant

Still on I 84 near
Cement Plant Road Rd.

Taking a 5 minute break in Oregon

Back on the road again

Coordinates:
N 45 degrees 35.908'
W 118 degrees 30.302'

On the road again

Final destination for today is Salt Lake City

Took a 5 minute break near Thrall, Washington

Coordinates:

N 46 degrees 53.326'
W 120 degrees 25.939'

Goodbye Fairbanks

So I finally saw the Northern Lights on Saturday night after taking a snow cat vehicle on a 30 minute ascent up a mountain at Chena Hot Springs. It was a clear but frigid evening where the windchill hit 15 below zero. Despite the extra winter gear that was provided it was painful to stand outside of the tent that provides temporary shelter for the 50 or so brave souls that ventured to this isolated place. Initially I was disappointed when 11:15 PM hit as there wasn't much to see except a sky full of stars and a very faint glowing band that had formed across the sky. Another ten minutes elapsed and we were all treated to the most fabulous light show that nature could provide as random streaks of glowing colors illuminated the clear sky to our north. There were ghostly bands of green, pink, violet, and blue that fluctuated in random patterns and dissipated shortly after forming and then restarted again after several minutes with new formations. They say is a picture is worth a thousand words so I can say I was very dissapointed when I realized the cold weather had sapped the battery life out of my digital camera and further annoyed that my video camera wasn't sensitive enough to pick up any meaningful views of the night sky. Just gives me incentive to come back again some day.

So now I start my trek back to Seattle while I wait to board the airplane that will make its next stop in Anchorage. I think the cold has drained me so I am considering driving south to warm up. I guess I'll see how I feel in a couple of hours.

That's what I call a cold glass

At Chena Hot Springs I went on a tour of the only year round ice museum/gallery/bar. To be more specific all the exhibits are made of ice, including the bar, the stools, and the drinking glasses. I found myself sipping on an appletini made with Stolichnaya vodka and I kept wondering if I were to sip for too long would my lips stick to the glass. Fortunately, this didn't happen.

Making the trip to Chena Hot Springs

After leaving the dog sled race I walked over to a tourist information office and inquired as to how it would be possible to best be positioned to view the Northern Lights. Several places were recommended included a resort called Chena Hot Springs located about 65 miles away. Since I read about this particular location I decided to make the trip. For some reason it seemed that the 65 miles took an eternity, perhaps I was being cautious and driving extra slow after seeing the moose advisory sign on the road at various points as I made the journey.

Let the games begin

Apparently an organization called GCI was having their 63rd Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race. Prior to the race starting at 1 PM (Alaska daylight time) various kennel organization arrived with their doggy paddy wagons and prepared the dogs with the harnesses that attach them to each other and eventually to the sled that carries the "musher". It was really nice to watch but I believe that this sport would be really nice if it were televised. This particular race is short at 67.5 miles over 3 days as opposed to the famous Iditarod dog sled race that covers 1,100 miles. My first impression before the race was that the dogs would probably run the wrong way based upon the chaotic barking that preceded the lining up at the starting point but I was proved wrong as they ran forward in unison with a swiftness that took me for surprise.

What the heck... Its cold anyway

I decided to drive down to downtown Fairbanks and check out a local restaurant called Soapy Smith's. The food wasn't great but I had Alaskan Silver Gulch beer. Outside of the restaurant there are at least a hundred dogs barking while they wait to start a dog sled race. I think I'm going to check it out.

Today in Fairbanks

So this is one of the several animal trophies located in the Fairbanks airport. Unfortunately, I feel as lucky as that moose because night #1 in Fairbanks has not blessed me with a viewing of the Northern lights. Hanging out at 2:00 AM on an isolated hill when you are surrounded by various animal tracks is a bit disconcerting.

On a side note, I noticed it was 19 degrees out here and I was told its been relatively warm recently. I guess I should consider myself lucky! Most cars out here have an electric receptacle in front of them so that you can plug the car into an electrical outlet to keep the engine warm when its parked.

Welcome to Anchorage

This is a view a few minutes before the plane landed in Anchorage, Alaska. The view is stunning from the sky as you see hundred of miles of snow capped mountains, glaciers (one the size of Rhode Island) and numerous other geological features. I was lucky to be sitting next to someone who worked for the US Department of Interior whom explained the various sights I was observing including Mt. Mckinley (Denali) and the Prince William Sound where the Exxon Valdez spill occured. He also mentioned to me that he was on his way to Cordova, Alaska to meet with a native Alaskan tribe to discuss increased hunting of moose for the purpose of ceremonial youth training.

Ok so I am cheating

I decided to stop driving north and hop on a flight. So after spending a night in Seattle, I thought it would be ideal to continue the trip via aircraft. First stop is in Anchorage, Alaska with final destination in Fairbanks. Hopefully the northern lights will be visible on at least one of the next three nights. One thing that I noticed is that the logo for Alaska Airlines looks like Che Guevera wearing a heavy coat. That reminds me, I think I'm going to need a heavier coat.

Coordinates:

N 46 degrees 58.422'
W 119 degrees 58.217'

There was a sign here that indicated that this was part of the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project. This view from this point was spectacular.

Pee break

I think I just broke a law and I hope the tree doesn't mind. Near Janney, MT.

Coordinates:
N 45 degrees 54.933'
W 112 degrees 22.636'

605 miles to go before I arrive in Seattle.

Currently near Greycliff, Montana

So I stopped at a rest area and am realizing that pretty soon I am going to have to start wearing the thermal underwear and gloves. I guess I can say its beginning to get nippy.

Currently I am approaching the Crazy Mountans that according to a billboard in front of me are the most sacred and revered mountains on the northern Great Plains. These mountains also known as Awaxaawippiia by the Apsaalooka (Crow) Indians was a place of refuge and protection.

Anyway, 13 more hours to go.

Current coordinates
N 45 degrees 44.148'
W 109 degrees 45.418'

Wyoming is over... What a relief

So after driving through Wyoming, I finally made it into Billings, Montana. One thing I can say for sure is that driving through Wyoming was painfully dull. Kind of like driving through a ghost state. Too bad I don't have a better picture to post so I simply displayed my Tom Tom's "Where am I?" feature.

One thing that I've been annoyed by is that I couldn't find my favorite Cabela's hat while driving through South Dakota and secondly I can't get the swiss army knife I picked up out of its plastic packaging in order to peel the seedless oranges I picked up at a farmer's market outside of Ocala, Florida. Now I have sticky citris fingers. Unfortunately, these are the unexpected issues one has to deal with on a road trip.

Just made it to the Wyoming Border

Only a few more hundred miles to go!!!

Mt. Rushmore is cooler

So after leaving Wall, South Dakota I headed over to Mt. Rushmore. Pretty nice site but for some reason I was expecting it to be a bit larger.

South Dakota Tourist trap

After seeing a zillion signs for a place called "Wall Drug" I decided to see what it was all about. Wasn't very much here but you can purchase Jackelope head trophies. Apparently its some kind of jack rabbit with antlers. Although if you believe in the chupacabra I guess you'll also believe that jackelopes actually exist.

In South Dakota

Decided to take a real nap and I guess those commercials did have an impact on me as I decided to check into a Holiday Inn Express. (The hot bar wasn't as exciting as one would expect, especially if you are they type to believe everything you see on TV). Anyway, from what I can tell Sioux Falls appears to be a nice city. I overheard some people talking and they mentioned Mt. Rushmore, so I guess I'll be headed in the direction of Rapid City. 348 miles until I get there.

Stumbled into an Indian Casino

While running low on gas I drove into Sloan, Iowa where there was a casino at the end of a long dark road. The casino stands out because of an eerie set of skylights that reminds one of the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".

Coordinates are:
N 42 degrees 13.698'
W 96 degrees 18.578'

Pretty lights by Nebraska / Iowa border

So I stumble across Ameristar casino. Perhaps I'll grab a bite or try my luck with a dollar bill.

Tom Tom coordinates in degrees (as opposed to my previous entry that was in decimal) is as follows:

N 41 degrees 14.513'
W 95 degrees 54.552'

Another 28+ hours of driving time to Seattle, Washington.

So far

Ok today, I had a chance to stop in St. Louis, Missouri and its a good thing for nationwide gym access. Had a chance to get a workout and a shower and then back on the road. A few hours later I made it into Kansas City, Missouri. Next stop is Omaha, Nebraska. Current GPS Coordinate is N 40.10006 and W 95.21320 at a rest stop. Ok let me get back on the road.